Fatherhood for the faint of heart.

Books for those big-hearted men doing the best they can to be the best they can be.

	Fatherhood : rising to the ultimate challenge Thomas, a star in the NBA as a center for the Atlanta Hawks as well as a participant in President Obama's Fatherhood Initiative, states up front that he is not a fatherhood expert but he has collected essays that produce an insightful manual on fatherhood for those old and new at the game.
	I've never met an idiot on the river : reflections on family, photography, and fly-fishing The former star of "Happy Days" uses his trademark sense of humor to discuss the lessons he learned from family, fatherhood, and most importantly, fly fishing.
	Home game : an accidental guide to fatherhood This book is a record of what actually happened after the birth of each of Lewis's three children and it may be the funniest, most unsparing account of ordinary daily household life ever recorded from the point of view of the man inside.
	Manhood for amateurs : the pleasures and regrets of a husband, father, and son As a devoted son, as a passionate husband, and above all as the father of four young Americans, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chabon presents his hilarious and moving memories of childhood, of his parents' marriage and divorce, of moments of painful adolescent comedy and giddy encounters with the popular art and literature of his own youth, as a theme played on different instruments by the mad quartet of which he now finds himself co-conductor.
	A promise to ourselves : a journey through fatherhood and divorce In his own life and others, Baldwin has seen the heavy toll that divorce can take---psychologically, emotionally, and financially. He makes a powerful case for reexamining and changing the way divorce and child custody is decided in this country and levels a scathing attack at what he calls the “family law industry.”
	Be the coolest dad on the block : all of the tricks, games, puzzles, and jokes you need to impress your kids (and keep them entertained for years to come!) Written by a comedy writer and a cartoonist with thirty years' combined experience as dads, Be the Coolest Dad on the Block is a cornucopia of practical parenting advice, like how to skip stones or teach a kid to ride a bike. It has answers to the pesky questions kids love, such as "Why is the sky blue?" or "Where do babies come from?" With a range of ideas to suit all situations and sensibilities, find out how to become the kids' wackiest and smartest guy on the block.
	Bringing up baby It's a good thing pregnancy lasts nine months, because it'll take the new dad that long to learn the ropes-and realize that fatherhood can be maddening, sometimes frightening, and often disgusting, but it's also the best job in the world. Packed with sound advice and time-tested survival tips, Bringing Up Baby is the must-have guide for every new father.
	Crouching father, hidden toddler : a zen guide for new dads Experienced dad and aspiring guru, C.W. Nevius, expounds on the ancient concept of wu wei (i.e., going with the flow) as well as some handy tips picked up from kung fu movies. Warm and encouraging, Crouching Father, Hidden Toddler, provides the one necessity for any samurai facing a Mt. Fuji of diapers.
	Father's first steps : 25 things every new dad should know Practical fatherhood advice dished with a dose of humor from Drs. Robert and James Sears, fathers and pediatricians.
	Gay men choosing parenthood Gay parenting is a topic on which almost everyone has an opinion but almost nobody has any facts. Here at last is a book based on a thorough review of the literature, as well as interviews with a pioneering group of men who in the 1980s chose to become fathers outside the boundaries of a heterosexual union -- through foster care, adoption, and other kinship relationships.
	Be prepared : a practical handbook for new dads An indispensable survival manual for guys entering the trenches of fatherhood, this book is loaded with one-of-a-kind insights, MacGyver-esque tips and tricks, and no-nonsense advice for mastering the first year as a dad. Packed with helpful diagrams and detailed instructions, and this is the ultimate guide for sleep-deprived, applesauce-covered fathers everywhere.
	Fatherneed : why father care is as essential as mother care for your child For years the most trusted child care experts have emphasized the mother/child bond, but this is only half the story. Kids and dads are also biologically hardwired for a different but equally important relationship. In "Fatherneed," Dr. Kyle D. Pruett draws on more than two decades of highly acclaimed research at the Yale Child Study Center to offer the first complete understanding of the father's role in child and adult development.
	Becoming dad : Black men and the journey to fatherhood The fatherless black family is one of America's most damning of stereotypes. Part memoir, part social study, Becoming Dad is filled with the moving stories of black men who are struggling valiantly to become the fathers they never had.